Angry residents are rallying round to repair a £5,000 trail of damage caused by yobs at a Syston beauty spot.

The vandals destroyed memorial trees, smashed fencing, threw benches and bins into the lake, damaged disabled benches and uprooted signs and gates at Watermead Country Park.

It’s believed the vandals struck between 8pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday, after entering the park at the Wanlip Road, Syston entrance and making their way to John Merrick Lake.

Pc Ian Mundy, who is investigating the incident, said: “The people who have committed these thoughtless acts of vandalism have no regard for the affect their actions would have on the people whose memories of their loved ones have been violated.

“We need to catch the people responsible and would urge anyone who has any information about the incident or the perpetrators to get in touch.”

People in Syston and from surrounding areas have united in a joint effort to get the damage fixed. An online fundraising drive has also been launched. To donate to the fund visit www.gofundme.com/BeatTheVandals

A community meeting is being held tonight (Wednesday, April 15) from 6.30pm at Syston’s Midland Railway pub in a bid to rally more support.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should call Pc 2995 Ian Mundy on 101, quoting incident number 162 on April 12.